Hello Everyone,

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Year 1/2 2025 Information Forum this week

On 22nd November, we sent out an invitation to our 2024 Foundation and Year 1 families to ask questions via a Google Form so we could answer them in an online forum held on Tuesday 3rd of December.

This forum was hosted by our 2025 Year 1/2 teachers and myself. We answered questions and discussed how the curriculum would be taught. Composite classes are not new at WPPS; we had them 12 years ago, but went to single level classes when numbers permitted. As we will do when numbers permit with our current classes.

This session was recorded and is available to view on our current Foundation and Year 1 websites.

Thank you to everyone for their participation and support.

Foundation

Year 1

Speaking of classes for 2025:

2025 Classes

Notes:

• Mr Roberts is on Paternity Leave in Term 1 - Replacement to be advised
• Year 3 will have Kitchen and Garden on Tuesdays
• Year 4 will have Kitchen and Garden on Mondays

Tues 10th December Statewide Transition Day

All Year 6 students in every government school across Victoria spend the day at their Year 7 school. During the last session of this day, all our students meet the teacher they will have for 2025 in the classroom they will be in for 2025.

Class locations in 2025

Wattle Park Primary’s Cookbook
We're excited to announce that Wattle Park Primary's very own Cookbook is available for purchase starting Wednesday, December 11th! This special collection of delicious recipes is a must-have, and it's available for only $20. You can easily grab your copy by visiting the office or ordering over the phone. But hurry – these cookbooks are sure to sell out fast! Don't miss out – get yours before they're all gone!

Second Hand uniform shop
If items of lost clothing were needles, our ‘Lost and Found’ would currently look like 14 families of echidnas at Christmas lunch. Please head to the hallway outside Year 2A (Ms Downes Room) to locate any lost items. This pile will be culled, and what is of high quality will be laundered and go to our Second Hand uniform shop by the end of the school year.

Semester 2 Reports
Reports go live on Compass on Monday, 16.12, at 4 pm.

If you would like a hard copy of your child’s report, please email your classroom teacher and your child will be given one on Monday, 16.12.

Click HERE to learn how to access your child’s report on Compass.

New Mathematics Victorian Curriculum 2.0

The Victorian Government has recently changed the F-10 school Mathematics curriculum to raise Australian learning outcomes to meet higher international standards.

The former Mathematics curriculum represented students’ progress with a dot in each one of three strands of Mathematics:

• Number & Algebra
• Measurement & Geometry 
• Statistics and Probability

This new curriculum breaks this up into 6 strands and only requires one dot to represent all of a students’ Mathematics progress:

In the interests of keeping parents and guardians informed, WPPS has decided to represent each of these six strands, mark each one, and give a dot to indicate overall progress. Therefore our reports look like this:

As the new curriculum is more challenging it may mean your child achieves a lower level this year than they did last year. It is unlikely your child’s achievements in Mathematics have regressed - rather, the curriculum targets have been raised. We look forward to working in partnership with you to further educate our students. 

Student Voice

No awards and house points this week due to swimming beginning today.

Year 2 Big Day Out -A Day To Remember!
Last Friday, 29th November, our Year Two students enjoyed their much-anticipated Big Day Out! It was a truly special day filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of delicious treats. Designed as an introduction to the school’s camping program, the experience mimicked the first day of camp, complete with casual clothes, quality time with classmates, an extended school day, and a focus on public safety protocols.

The day began with a visit to Flip Out, where students participated in cooperative teamwork and bonding activities that challenged their comfort zones and fostered resilience. From there, we headed to Orchard Grove Reserve for a delightful picnic-style lunch and some self-directed social time, giving students the chance to unwind and connect with one another.

Then it was off to Hoyts Cinemas at Forest Hill, where students practised safe social protocols in a public setting while enjoying a relaxing movie. Adding to the magic, we had a surprise visit to the Big Man in Red himself—Santa! Finally, we returned to WPPS for a quick bite to eat and a chance to reflect on the wonderful day spent together.

The Year Two Big Day Out was a perfect balance of fun and learning, setting the stage for the exciting adventures that lie ahead in the camping program. A big thank you to everyone who helped make this day such a memorable one!

Sydney Nationals - James B
Our Year 5 student, James, represented Team Vic at the School Sports Australia National Athletics comp in Sydney last week. The opening ceremony was a wonderful parade and a special moment to be a part of. On Friday, James competed in Discus, coming 5th out of 12 with a PB throw of 34.37m (750g). The following day, James competed in Shot Put, coming 4th out of 12 with a PB throw of 13.62m (2kg). James feels so fortunate to have been a part of such a wonderful event amongst so many friendly and talented kids.

Our Staff
Our series on our staff proved so popular last year; I have requests for it to return as our parents have different teachers this year.  Reintroducing Ms Saaksjarvi:

Hi Wonderful Wattle Park!

I feel very lucky to be part of such a welcoming, supportive, fun and engaged community! 

I started teaching at Wattle Park Primary in 2012 in the Year 5/6 area. Since then I took some time off whilst having my 3 children, who also attend our amazing school. After spending some time in Year 3, I am now very much enjoying teaching Year 2 for a second year in a row. I love the exuberance and different perspective the children bring to learning. Most of all, I really appreciate how our students look out for and support each other. How truly lucky we are! It is certainly a reflection of our wonderful broader community. 

Term 2 is action packed with lots of fun for all and I am very much looking forward to seeing lots of excited, happy children throughout the school with stories to share with their friends and families. Bring on the learning and the fun!

Anna Saaksjarvi Year 2B

Notices

School Policies
The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Wattle Park Primary School has reviewed and updated our child safety policies and procedures in consultation with School Council to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. These are available to view on our school’s website.

We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices. 

If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact Wattle Park Primary School at wattle.park.ps@education.vic.gov.au or by phone on 03 9808 2165.

Have a great weekend.

Steve Donohue

Principal

Wattle Park Primary School

1.Wattle Park Primary's Cookbook
2. Foundation BBQ with Yr 6 Buddies

1. Wattle Park Primary’s Cookbook

We're excited to announce that Wattle Park Primary's very own Cookbook is available for purchase starting Wednesday, December 11th! This special collection of delicious recipes is a must-have, and it's available for only $20. You can easily grab your copy by visiting the office or ordering over the phone. But hurry – these cookbooks are sure to sell out fast! Don't miss out – get yours before they're all gone!

2. Foundation BBQ with Yr 6 Buddies

• Newsletter
• Holiday Program

We have some exciting news to share- Free swim lessons for kids 

Due to unprecedented demand, the closing date for Round 8 get active vouchers has been extended. Surrey Park Swimming is also expanding its offer to cover the gap between lesson cost and voucher for all Get Active recipients over January school holidays or into Term 1.

If you are eligible and haven’t already applied for Get Active vouchers, please use the link below to apply and put in Surrey Park Swimming as the provider. Applications for vouchers and reimbursements will remain open until funding is exhausted, or no later than 11:59 PM on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

https://www.getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers/apply-for-vouchers/

If you’re accepted for a voucher, simply forward the confirmation email to reception@surreypark.org.au.  Let us know if you’d like to apply it towards Term fees or if you'd prefer to book into the school holiday program. Please note, we will enrolling new students for Term 1 from January.

Additionally, if you know anyone else who might be eligible for vouchers, we’d love to assist them with covering the gap for their swim lessons. Please help spread the word – let’s ensure as many children as possible in our community have the opportunity to learn this important life-saving skill!

Thank you, be safe around water and we look forward to seeing your children at lessons!

Kind Regards
The Team at Surrey Park Swimming